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A review by meme_too2
The Bingo Palace by Louise Erdrich
3.0
Louise Erdrich is the most popular American Indian author. She writes about her culture, yet invites the idea that any of her characters could be white American as well.
I found this book very depressing and maybe a little over-the-top feeling sorry for Indian people in general. I discovered this book when I found her short story called "I'm a Mad Dog Biting Myself for Sympathy," which hosts the most definitely sorry-for-myself character.
Lipsha has a father he never knew, who has been in jail, and a mother who tried to drown him as a baby. He grows up having been raised by other family members (which is the Indian way). He never seems to be able to break out of the so-called "American Indian mentality," which means he misses every opportunity to move forward and make something of his life.
The short story is found near the end of the book with a completely different ending. Lipsha actually makes an effort to change for the better, but the book is too deep into the "loser" lives of these people, it remains inconclusive and frustrating.
I found this book very depressing and maybe a little over-the-top feeling sorry for Indian people in general. I discovered this book when I found her short story called "I'm a Mad Dog Biting Myself for Sympathy," which hosts the most definitely sorry-for-myself character.
Lipsha has a father he never knew, who has been in jail, and a mother who tried to drown him as a baby. He grows up having been raised by other family members (which is the Indian way). He never seems to be able to break out of the so-called "American Indian mentality," which means he misses every opportunity to move forward and make something of his life.
The short story is found near the end of the book with a completely different ending. Lipsha actually makes an effort to change for the better, but the book is too deep into the "loser" lives of these people, it remains inconclusive and frustrating.